After six long months without baseball, we are officially through the first week of the season. For the last few seasons, the NL West has been the Dodgers and Giants show. Let’s take a look at how the NL West is shaping in 2016 so far.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Our Boys in Blue started the season off on the road. They swept San Diego and kept them scoreless in all three games. The team traveled North and faced the Giants – a team they went 8-11 against last season. Things did not go well for the Dodgers. Take a look at the box scores from last week.

H

R

W/L (Dodgers)

4/04 LAD v. SDP

17

15

W

4/05 LAD v. SDP

6

3

W

4/06 LAD v. SDP

11

7

W

4/07 LAD v. SFG

13

6

L

4/08 LAD v. SFG

9

2

L

4/09 LAD v. SFG

10

3

W

4/10 LAD v. SFG

10

6

L

Notable Injuries:Carl Crawford is on the 15-day DL with lower back pain. Chris Hatcher suffered a twisted left knee but is day-to-day. Scott Van Slyke is suffering from lower back stiffness but is day-to-day.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants opened their season against the Milwaukee Brewers – a team that is in rebuild mode in 2016. Madison Bumgarner was not on his usual game in the season opener as he allowed five hits over five innings pitched. He gave up two home runs and walked five batters but still walked away with the win because pitcher wins. While they did not sweep the Brewers nor the Dodgers, they have found themselves in sole possession of first place by a game. Here are there box scores for the week.

H

R

W/L (Giants)

4/04 SFG v. MIL

15

12

W

4/05 SFG v. MIL

7

2

W

4/06 SFG v. MIL

6

3

L

4/07 LAD v. SFG

17

12

W

4/08 LAD v. SFG

2

3

W

4/09 LAD v. SFG

5

2

L

4/10 LAD v. SFG

12

9

W

Notable Injuries:
According to MLB.com, the Giants do not have anyone on the DL. We should all be scared.

Colorado Rockies

Can you believe that the Rockies got fifteen hits and scored ten runs outside of Coors Field?! On the season opener in Arizona, the Rockies trounced the Diamondbacks in amazing fashion. Of course, the story (EH? EH?!) this week within Colorado’s organization is Trevor Story. The rookie shortstop hit seven dingers in his first six games! That put him on pace to hit 189 home runs this season, which is definitely certainly likely to happen. Sadly, as is always the case with the Rockies, they are meandering in the middle of the standings because they are the Rockies. Whether or not the Rockies can take their success at Coors on the road remains to be seen this season. Take a look at last week’s box scores.

H

R

W/L (Rockies)

4/04 COL v. ARI

15

10

W

4/05 COL v. ARI

9

6

L

4/06 COL v. ARI

8

4

W

4/08 SDP v. COL

2

6

L

4/09 SDP v. COL

8

3

L

4/10 SDP v. COL

9

6

W

Notable Injuries:
Daniel Descalso is expected back sometime early this season. However, with Trevor Story crushing it, one has to wonder how the infield will adjust.

San Diego Padres

Remember last year when the Padres went all-in on offense last year. Yeah, that did not work for them. To remedy that, they brought in John Jay who represents a nice upgrade in the outfield. They also got Alexei Ramirez for $4M with a $1M buyout, who was a much-needed improvement at shortstop at a relatively low cost. The issue with Jay and Ramirez, however, is now the Padres have sacrificed some offensive power for strictly defensive upgrades. How has it worked out for San Diego thus far? To the box scores!

H

R

W/L (Padres)

4/04 LAD v. SDP

4

0

L

4/05 LAD v. SDP

2

0

L

4/06 LAD v. SDP

5

0

L

4/08 SDP v. COL

18

13

W

4/09 SDP v. COL

19

16

W

4/10 SDP v. COL

8

3

L

4/11 SDP v. PHI

6

4

L

Notable Injuries:
Tyson Ross has landed on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation. He is expected back in the rotation late April.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Speaking of teams that went all-in. The Diamondbacks inked a TV deal during the offseason and quickly signed Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller to outrageous deals. Even more concerning, if you’re a D-Backs fan, is that the team traded one of their top prospects to get Miller. How has that worked out for them? Combined, Greinke and Miller have made two starts and have posted a 6.00 ERA to start the season. I probably don’t need to tell you that is not what you want from your Number 1 and Number 2 starters. Let’s examine the box scores to see how they became the cellar dwellers in Week 1.

H

R

W/L (Padres)

4/04 COL v. ARI

12

5

L

4/05 COL v. ARI

15

11

W

4/06 COL v. ARI

8

3

L

4/07 CHC v. ARI

8

6

L

4/08 CHC v. ARI

8

3

W

4/09 CHC v. ARI

4

2

L

4/10 CHC v. ARI

8

3

L

Notable Injuries:Josh Collmenter is on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation. He is expected to return in mid-to-late April. A.J. Pollock is out for the season as he is recovering from elbow surgery.